This is due to the lack of supply observed in recent years, leading families and investors to anticipate buying properties to take them off the market as quickly as possible.

The potential for property appreciation is also at stake, as developers often need to meet minimum pre-sale requirements to proceed with construction.

In the city of Porto, early purchase of new homes is more common among the middle and upper-middle classes, and developments remain on the market for up to 6 months.

Most of these transactions are carried out by families, mainly younger ones, who are looking for their own home and take advantage of the Municipal Tax on Onerous Transfers of Real Estate (IMT) exemption, which applies to young people up to the age of 35.

Unlike other areas of the country, in Porto, Portuguese nationals are the main buyers of homes. When it comes to foreign buyers, Brazilians, Angolans, French and Americans stand out.